While it's not the "flashiest" game on the Week 9 slate, the Baltimore Ravens vs. New Orleans Saints could be the most competitive with two teams need to keep pace in the win columns of their respective divisions.
NFL fantasy football owners are at the point of taking a hard look at their team to assess where they stand.
We can hear some of you channeling your inner Jim Mora from here. "Don't talk about -- playoffs? You kidding me? Playoffs? I just hope we can win a game! Another game."
Perhaps FrontPageBets can help you win another game by identifying players to either insert into your lineup or leave on your bench based on Week 9 matchups.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford vs. Buccaneers
Take Matthew Stafford's name away and solely consider his performances this season. Here's a quarterback who threw for just 187 yards against the San Francisco 49ers last week and has just seven passing touchdowns against eight interceptions in 2022.
Stafford enters Sunday's matchup with injury questions about his best receiver in Super Bowl LVI MVP Cooper Kupp (ankle). Offseason acquisition Allen Robinson has been a no-show in Los Angeles, and the team's running game is doing little to keep opposing defenses honest.
The Rams’ offense ranks fifth from the bottom in the NFL at 16.9 points per game. Sure, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense has issues of its own, but it's hard to place faith in Stafford without some evidence of success with this cast.
Verdict: Sit
Bears QB Justin Fields vs. Dolphins
The Chicago Bears' offense has improved over the last few weeks -- well, it had to given where it started.
Justin Fields has thrown for three touchdowns and rushed for two more over the last two weeks, including two and one, respectively, in a 49-29 loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday. While his passing yards won't wow you, the Ohio State product has rushed for 230 yards over the last three weeks and 424 on the season (second-best among NFL quarterbacks).
Fields will need to do all he can with the Bears likely playing catch-up against the Miami Dolphins.Â
Verdict: Start
Packers RB Aaron Jones vs. Lions
Aaron Jones arguably is the surest bet on a woefully underachieving Green Bay Packers team this season, and once again he'll take you to the pay window on Sunday.
Jones erupted for a season-high 143 rushing yards last week in Green Bay's 27-17 loss to the Buffalo Bills. While that performance was memorable, it pales in comparison to the four-touchdown effort (three receiving, one rushing) he slapped on the Detroit Lions in the last encounter.
Need more convincing? The Lions own the 30th-ranked rush defense. Don't overthink this.
Verdict: Start
Ravens RB Kenyan Drake vs. Saints
With the Cleveland Browns (Nick Chubb), San Francisco 49ers (Christian McCaffrey), Dallas Cowboys (Tony Pollard) and to a much lesser degree Pittsburgh Steelers (Najee Harris) on bye, you might be forced into what amounts to a dart throw on Monday night.Â
Well, the Baltimore Ravens have proven they can run the ball this season, but which back will be the beneficiary of a solid workload? Kenyan Drake received a boost in playing time following the hamstring injury to Gus Edwards last week. He rushed for 62 yards and reeled in a touchdown catch in Baltimore's 27-22 victory over the Buccaneers.
But don't forget the leading rusher for the Ravens is star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who has no issue claiming a touchdown on the goal line.
Verdict: Sit
Panthers WR D.J. Moore vs. Bengals
Arguably one of fantasy football's busts to start the season, D.J. Moore of the Carolina Panthers has come on with a vengeance over the last few weeks. He had six catches for a season-high 152 yards and a touchdown in Carolina's 37-34 overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday.
Moore has developed a rapport with quarterback P.J. Walker and should find holes in a banged-up Cincinnati Bengals secondary. The wideout has totaled double-digit targets in two straight games and three of his last five.
And if Moore wants to take his helmet off to celebrate (thus being penalized and unwittingly extending the game into overtime), well so be it.
 Verdict: Start
Waiver wire
Green Bay rookie wide receiver Romeo Doubs has started to earn the trust of star quarterback Aaron Rodgers. He's received five targets in six of eight games this season.
If you're in need of a running back, consider Deon Jackson (Indianapolis Colts) or Jeff Wilson Jr. (Dolphins).
Jackson could play himself back to relevance with the nagging ankle injury to consensus top fantasy draft pick Jonathan Taylor, while Wilson may have been dropped following the 49ers' acquisition of McCaffrey.
Wilson knows Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel from their San Francisco days, and Raheem Mostert is no stranger to the injury bug.
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